







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Hey, there is a stranger in the toilet, who is he? | |
| No, what is that? | |
| Sure, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | |
| I like girls' nights out. | |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | |
| Is it hay fever? I've got some pills for it! | |
| Yes, the guy with the beard is Mike. | |
| I don't mind sitting outside as long as I'm not cold. | |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | |
| I don't think it's possible to find anymore variations. | |
| Are you really asking me that question? | |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | |
| Yes, my number is 0773***0282. | |
| I usually take the train. | |
| Yeah, the packet is ripped, but it's not overdue. | |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | |